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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2012

Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI Event Recap


Cedar Rapids, IA The Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI Advisory and Executive Committees would like to thank the citizens of Cedar Rapids for welcoming the RAGBRAI participants to our community on July 26 and 27. Together our community hosted 20,000 riders and guests at three campgrounds and in homes throughout the area, shuttled them downtown to RAGBRAIs 40 th Celebration, hosted a free kids zone and bike safety event, and followed it up with Breakfast on the Bridge in New Bohemia/Czech Village the next morning. Riders safely navigated the events and nine mile route through Cedar Rapids. Nearly 20 planning committees spent seven months and thousands of hours planning and preparing for the cyclists. In all, 700 community members filled 900 shifts and volunteered 2,000 hours, which can be valued at $43,580 in labor costs. The overall budget to hold Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI was approximately $400,000. Expenses included $195,000 for main stage and local entertainment at the campgrounds; $100,000 for staging, seating, video screens and insurance; $40,000 for law enforcement and shuttles; and $50,000 for signage, fundraising, printing, portable toilets and campground amenities. Revenue included a total of $210,000 in cash donations and sponsorships, a net $50,000 in beverage sales, $75,000 in concert ticket and merchandise sales and $25,000 in vendor fees. In addition, Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI received thousands of dollars worth of in-kind services from local businesses, media partners, nonprofit agencies and local government. Expenses exceeded revenue by $25,000. The committees will ask the Cedar Rapids City Council to donate money from the hotel-motel tax fund to cover the outstanding balance. This request will not impact local property taxes. I am proud of our city. RAGBRAI was a great way to show off Cedar Rapids to thousands of people across the country and around the world, said Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett. Our community profited in a variety of ways. From the server at a local restaurant that made $185 in an hour and a half in tips, to filling rooms at our local hotels, to riders visiting our local attractions, businesses and nonprofit vendor booths, there are endless examples. I believe our investment in the RAGBRAI events was worth every penny. According to RAGBRAI, the total direct, indirect and induced spending related to RAGBRAI events in an overnight stop can be equated to a $3 million investment in a community.

Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI The Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI Advisory and Executive Committees included representatives from the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Cedar Rapids Community School District, Linn County Trails Association, Cedar Rapids Main Street: Czech Village/New Bohemia District, City of Cedar Rapids, Linn County and Source Media Group. ### Contact: Marilee Fowler, Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 319-398-5009, mfowler@cedarrapids.com Sandi Fowler, City of Cedar Rapids, 319-286-5077, s.fowler@cedar-rapids.org

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